Musical Books for a Magical Childhood: Part 1
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This musical books list is going to be a little different from your typical “Top 10 Books for Children” posts that you see floating around. Instead of just giving you a list of titles, I wanted to share the why behind these selections - some history, some insights, and yes, a few random thoughts. I mean anyone can type out a list of musical books. Heck, I’m pretty sure there are already countless lists of musical books online already, but I wanted to not just suggest titles, but delve a little into the why, which to me, is far more interesting than just a list of books. I am blessed to have a child who asks “why?” to basically every single thing, and I have to admit he probably got that innate curiosity from me. LOL. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree is so very true in this case. So if, like us, you are curious and like to know the random thoughts behind book selections, make sure to grab a nice cup of coffee or tea and settle into a chair when you have a few mins of quiet. By the end of this post you’ll see exactly why I believe musical books are essential for a magical childhood!
Everyone talks about reading books to your children. There are even challenges to read 1,000 books with your child before kindergarten, but hardly anyone talks about singing books to your child. And that astonishes me. Singing, rhyming, and rhythm are core pillars of pre-literacy and brain development. They build memory, language pathways, beat competency and future reading skills, yet so many parents are missing out on this simple, powerful tool.
So, for Part 1 of this musical book series, I’m starting with the sing-a-loud books - the ones you don’t just read, but sing out loud (many of which you’ll already know by heart, I bet). And one that may even be considered controversial!
When we sing a book with our little ones, we are weaving that memory into their childhood forever. Research even shows that oxytocin (the bonding hormone) levels double in young children when hearing their parent sing, compared to regular speech. That means that they feel more bonded, safe and loved. So those books that you sing with your children…those will be ones that they will remember forever!
Important (Please Read):
I’ve linked most of the book covers and titles below through Bookshop.org, which is a wonderful platform that supports independent bookstores! You can buy directly from local bookstores through their website, and 80% of their profit goes back to bookstores! I always aim to use my online presence to uplift businesses (especially small businesses) doing positive things. With that said, I also know that Amazon has become a way of life for many people, and that authors do rely on Amazon rankings as well, so I have included Amazon links at the bottom of the post. And finally, this is a BIG list of books- try your local library and see if you can check some of them out first. <3
Sing-a-Loud Books
Hand, Hand Fingers Thumb is one of the top three favorite musical books in our household. I did a musical read aloud of this iconic little book on social media. Click reel to view on IG. My children know this book backwards and forwards and frequently I will hear them chanting the rhythms from this delightful little book! Or when they are asked to create a rhythm on an instrument, without fail, they will break out with a little rendition of “dum ditty, dum ditty, dum, dum, dum.” :)
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is another top three contender in our house. This book can be sung from day 1 when your baby first arrives. You can sing the melody of the book to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Magical Music Method members have a video lesson on the singing of this book in the musical books section, with a slight variation on the Twinkle, Twinkle melody. There are also many different melodies that can be sung with this lovely book. Children seem to latch onto this melody quickly and love the colors and simplicity. My youngest child will often be found singing randomly, “red bird, red bird what do you see?” I can assure you that there is nothing cuter in the entire world than to walk into a room finding your child singing to themself.
The Wheels on the Bus is maybe the most popular toddler song in the Western World?? I don’t know one single kid who doesn’t love to bust out singing this song. This book is so, so special with it’s movable parts and colorful illustrations. I only urge you to store it up high so that the book is used when an adult is present, otherwise, the movable parts may get ripped off. It’s my favorite book to use with this song and it has been cherished for yearsss!
Cat Goes Fiddle-i-fee is based on the children’s nursery rhyme/children’s folk tune that is believed to have originated in England, though there is some uncertainty in the history, as the tune appears in a lot of early Americana music under slight name variations. All that to say, this song has stood the test of time with it’s clever rhymes and is a favorite of children. A perfect book to sing with your littles one to build strong pre-literacy skills!
Down by the Bay is a very old song that some say have Greek origins and was made popular by Raffi in his 1976 album ‘Singable Songs for the Very Young.’ If you’re not familiar with this song I highly encourage you to listen to Raffi’s recording, and I bet you will not be able to help yourself, but sing a-long in no time at all. But then, most importantly, learn the melody so you can be the main star when singing it to your little one. They will absolutely love this super fun, rhyming song!
Every Little Thing is a sweet book that brings alive the magical words of the Bob Marley song. “Rise up this morning, smile with the rising sun, three little birds….” It’s an uplifting and positive song that is easy for children to learn and sing, and gives them a truly uplifting message to sing and carry in their minds. I often like to remind parents that music imprints on the mind in the early years. “Don’t worry, about a thing, because every little thing, is going to be alright.” -Bob Marley
Ten in the Bed is another delightful and favorite book in our household. The song originates from a counting nursery rhyme and the song that developed with it, dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. I speak a lot about how music is the most effective tool for teaching practically everything; well this book and song is a perfect example of how a song can teach a child to count and subtract. When you start singing this to your baby, they will just love the sound of your voice and the pictures of the cute animal toys falling out of bed, but as they get older, they will begin to participate by keeping track of the animals that fell out, and what number comes next.
All the Pretty Little Horses: A Traditional Lullaby I included this book on my list even though it is a little bit harder to find. If the book is sold out at my provided links or is too pricy, keep an eye out on used book websites. This book is such a dreamy and magical little book. The illustrations are exquisite and really lend itself well to dreamland. For music readers, the back page has the sheet music of this lullaby. This lullaby is believed to have originated during slavery, and like many folk tunes, there are many different versions. It’s a beautiful lullaby to rock your baby to sleep while looking at the stunning images before sleepy time. So keep an eye out for a copy online, or in your local used book stores!
Don’t Worry, Be Happy This is another slightly hard to find book! If the price is inflated at any links, just peruse the used books websites, and you may score a cheap copy elsewhere. You may have noticed a slight trend in my love of musical books that accompany beautiful and interesting art and imagery. This book uses the artwork of Alexander Calder to the words of Bobby McFerrin’s song. It’s another feel good song with an uplifting message of joy that I find particularly necessary for childhood. Cultivating the beautiful and the positive in early childhood makes children feel secure and confident. You can explore the artwork of Calder while singing the song, and invite older children to create their own artwork and interpretations!
Inch by Inch: The Garden Song is an iconic and much beloved song made famous by so many wonderful folk singers, like Pete Seeger and John Denver. It’s a beautiful and simple song and this book is really sweetly illustrated. Children love to sing about what they see happening in nature and this is definitely one to use when sowing seeds wether in the Fall or Spring!
Miss Mary Mack I think mostly everyone who follows me on social media knows my deep love for Miss Mary Mack! :) There is no way I could not include a book to pair with the lady we all know and love! It’s another fun little book and a great way to introduce the song to small ones who are too little to start learning the clapping game and for big ones to engage with the song in a new way.
My Favorite Things is based on the famous song from the musical, “The Sound of Music.” This song is maybe the best song from that movie, though to be honest it’s so hard to choose, as all the music is INCREDIBLE. Even John Coltrane found this song inspiring as he made his own Jazz version that became a pivotal moment in his career. I highly recommend listening to the Rodgers & Hammerstein version and then John Coltrane, and then learning the song yourself to croon to your own little family! The melody and beauty of the lyrics make this a truly special song to sing with children. The illustrations are gorgeous in this book and really make the words come alive!
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly This song/children’s song is sometimes a controversial choice among parents because of the lyrics, “There was an old lady who swallowed a fly, I don’t know why she swallowed a fly. Perhaps she’ll die…” It’s clearly a silly and nonsensical song and children are smarter than we give them credit for, and know this! We don’t shy away from talking about death in our house, so naturally these types of books and songs are not controversial over here. And because children usually like these quirky non-sensical songs that rhyme, this one is a favorite and has seemed to stood the test of time! The book has cutouts that morph into bigger and bigger cutouts as the old lady swallows larger and larger animals!
Simple Gifts is originally a Shaker folk tune with beautiful lyrics and a gorgeous melody. It was relatively unknown until Aaron Copland used the melody in the score of Martha Graham’s ballet Appalachian Spring in 1944. This book is illustrated by Chris Raschka an author, illustrator and violist who wrote another famous little book that I will feature in another part of this musical book series! This book provides an opportunity for older children to create their own artwork and explore the meaning behind the lyrics, while exploring the evolution of the song from its simple Shaker roots to Copland’s sweeping version. Bringing together music and art, and how both creative expressions serve and enhance each other.
Dinosaur Dance was one of the first books my eldest child fell in love with as a young toddler. He would request it over and over. Sandra Boynton books are so innately musical and rhythmic that it is hard not to sing these books. I have my own little version of this book, but I highly encourage parents to interpret the book as you wish and have fun “sing songing” this book - there’s no wrong way to do it. This book is pure fun!
Over in the Meadow is one of my favorite songs to sing at home. This beautiful book has the loveliest illustrations and introduces counting. Before you know it, your little one will be anticipating the next number coming in the song and learning so much through the magic of musical books.
I hope you enjoyed peeking into my thought process behind these selections and that you’re feeling inspired by just how powerful singing books can be for our little ones. Help me spread the word: childhood shouldn’t be just read…it should be sung too. Singing books is a joyful, integral part of a magical childhood, and every child deserves to experience it!
Stay tuned for Part 2 of my Musical Books Series, where I’ll share even more titles, insights, history and the meaningful whys behind the next set of musical books selections.
Amazon LinksMiss Mary MackDon’t Worry Be HappyAll the Pretty Little Horses My Favorite ThingsInch by InchThere Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a FlySimple GiftsTen in the BedCat Goes Fiddle-i-feeDown by the Bay The Wheels on the BusOver in the MeadowHand, Hand, Fingers ThumbBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?Dinosaur DanceEvery Little Thing